Short-handed Warriors top Nuggets despite Jokic’s huge triple-double

Nikola Jokic delivered one of the most impressive stat lines of the NBA season on Sunday afternoon, but it was not enough to carry the Denver Nuggets past a depleted Golden State Warriors squad. The two-time MVP finished with 35 points, 20 rebounds and 12 assists, recording a dominant triple-double in Denver’s 128-117 road loss. Jokic controlled the paint, repeatedly exploiting mismatches and facilitating from the high post. He scored from inside and at midrange, drew multiple defenders and consistently created open looks for teammates. On the glass, he limited Golden State to one shot on many possessions while extending several of Denver’s offensive trips. His playmaking, vision and timing were central to nearly every Nuggets run. Despite Jokic’s production, Golden State, playing without its four highest-paid players, relied on balanced scoring, ball movement and timely shooting to secure the win. The Warriors worked to push the pace, move the ball side-to-side and attack early in the shot clock, forcing Denver’s defense to cover long stretches and multiple actions on each possession. Golden State’s supporting cast responded to the expanded roles, with several players stepping into primary scoring and creation duties usually handled by the team’s stars. The Warriors’ offense effectively spaced the floor, opening driving lanes and generating kick-out opportunities from penetration. Defensively, Golden State mixed coverages on Jokic and tried to make Denver’s other players beat them, occasionally sending help late to force the ball out of his hands and challenging perimeter shooters to convert under pressure. Denver made several pushes, capitalizing on Jokic’s interior dominance and passing to trim deficits, but Golden State answered with key baskets and free throws to restore control. In the closing minutes, the Warriors executed in the half court, closed defensive possessions with rebounds and avoided major mistakes, allowing them to finish off the upset over the defending champions. The result highlighted the Warriors’ depth and resilience while underscoring the challenge Denver faces when even a massive performance from Jokic does not translate into a victory.